Part One
Praise be to Allah. We praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek
refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and from our wrong deeds. He whom Allah
guides, none can misguide, and he whom Allah sends astray, none can guide. I bear
witness that there is no god but Allah alone, Who has no partners, and I bear witness that
Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah bestow his bountiful peace and
blessings upon him and upon his family and Companions.
Now then,
Fear Allah as He should be feared, and be mindful of Him in secret and in your
private conversations.
O Muslims!
One sign of Allah’s perfect wisdom and knowledge that demonstrates His
Lordship and Oneness is that He has chosen His messengers, angels, and righteous
servants. He has no partners who can create the like of His creation or choose the like of
His choice.Allah, Glorified be He, says:
And your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and chooses: no
choice have they (in any matter). Glorified be Allah, and exalted
above all that they associate (as partners with Him). (Al-Qasas:
68)
In His infinite wisdom, Allah, Glorified be He, has favoured some days and
months over others; and by His Knowledge, He has chosen some places and blessed
them. He has chosen Makkah to be city of His Sacred Mosque and the Holy Land of
Jerusalem to be the city of al-Aqsa Mosque. He has also honoured al-Madinah, the city of
the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and favoured it with special virtues that
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are unique to it.It has been given numerous names due to its honoured status.The Prophet,
peace and blessings be upon him, named it “al-Madinah” (the City), “Taibah” (the Good
and Pure), and “Tabah” (the Pleasant). Allah describes it as “the home” and “the faith”
for believers:
And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and
had adopted the Faith ... (Al-Hashr: 9)
It was to al-Madinah that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, migrated,
and it was from there that he made his Victorious Return to Makkah and that conquests of
other countries were launched.It was from al-Madinah that the Sunnah spread to all other
countries. It was the homeland of Islam in its beginnings. Faith will come back to it just
as it first emerged from it. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Faith will
resort to al-Madinah just as a snake resorts to its hole”(Agreed upon).
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, described it as a city that can
overpower other cities.The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “I have been
commanded [to migrate] to a town that can devour other towns (that is, prevail over
them). They call it Yathrib, and its name is [in fact] al-Madinah” (Agreed upon).It is a city
that wipes out sins and wrong deeds.The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
“It is Taibah (the Good and Pure); it purifies one from sins just as fire cleans silver from
impurities” (Reported by al-Bukhari). It also expels wicked people out of it.The Prophet,
peace and blessings be upon him, said, “It expels people [i.e. the wicked people] out of it,
just as bellows remove the impurities of iron”(Agreed upon). The Prophet, peace and
blessings be upon him, likened its cleansing power to that of bellows. He also said,“Al-
Madinah is like bellows: It expels its impurities”(Agreed upon).
Allahhas made it a safe city, so that the religion may spread from it and the rites
of Islam may be established in it. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “It
is a safe sanctuary”(Reported by Muslim). Whoever harbours evil intentions towards the
city of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, will certainly be destroyed
by Allah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If anyone intends to do
harm to this city, Allah will dissolve him as salt dissolves in water”(Reported by
Ahmad).If anyone plots against its people, Allah will destroy him without delay.The
Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “None plots against the people of al-
Madinah but he will dissolve as salt dissolves in water”(Reported by al-Bukhari). Allah
threatens whoever intends to do harm to its people with a painful torment in Hellfire.The
Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “None intends harm against the people
of al-Madinah but Allah will make him melt like lead or dissolve as salt dissolves in
water”(Reported by Muslim). If anyone seeks to terrify its people, Allah will make him
feel terrified and will curse him. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If
anyone unjustly frightens the people of al-Madinah, Allah will make him feel frightened;
the Curse of Allah, His angels, and all mankind will fall upon him; and Allah will not
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accept from him any obligatory or supererogatory act of worship”(Reported by an-
Nasa’i).
Because of its distinguished status, Allah has made it a sanctuary, just like
Makkah.The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Ibrahim [Prophet
Abraham]made Makkah a sanctuary and I have made al-Madinah a sanctuary”
(Reported by Muslim). No weapon may be raised in it, and no blood may be shed in it
except for implementing the law of equality in punishment (qisas) or enforcing
prescribed legal penalties (hudud). It is also strictly forbidden to kill its game or cut down
its trees. If anyone introduces any innovation in religion in al-Madinah or harbours a
criminal in it, the curse of Allah will rest upon him. The Prophet, peace and blessings be
upon him, said, “If anyone introduces any innovation in religion in al-Madinah or
harbours an innovator in religion in it, then the Curse of Allah, His angels, and all
mankind will fall upon him, and Allah will not accept from him any obligatory or
supererogatory act of worship on the Day of Resurrection” (Agreed upon).
It has reached the utmost degree of safety, for all its roads are guarded by angels.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “On every mountain path leading to
it, there are angels safeguarding it”(Agreed upon). Its ravines are also guarded by angels.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is,
there is no ravine or mountain path in al-Medina but it is guarded by two angels.” It is
virtually protected by angels from all sides. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon
him, said, “When ad-Dajjal (the False Messiah) comes to al-Madinah, he will find it
guarded by angels”(Reported by al-Bukhari). Commenting on this hadith, an-Nawawi,
may Allah’s mercy be on his soul, said, “It indicates the large number of the guarding
angels who will cover all mountain paths.” It is safeguarded against ad-Dajjal. The
Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, also said, “When ad-Dajjal comes, it will be
forbidden for him to enter the paths of al-Madinah”(Reported by al-Bukhari). When
people hear of ad-Dajjal, they will panic and flee from him to the mountains. The people
of al-Madinah, however, will not feel the fear caused by ad-Dajjal. The Prophet, peace
and blessings be upon him, said, “The terror of al-Masih ad-Dajjal (the False Messiah) will
not enter al-Madinah”(Reported by al-Bukhari).
Allah has protectedal-Madinah from plagues. The Prophet, peace and blessings be
upon him, said, “There are angels guarding the mountain paths of al-Madinah, so that
neither plagues nor ad-Dajjal can enter it” (Agreed upon). The Prophet, peace and
blessings be upon him, prayed to Allah to protect it from any epidemic. He said, “O Allah!
Grant it safety!”(Reported by Ahmad).Ibn Hajar, may Allah’s mercy be upon him, said,
“[Thanks to the Prophet’s supplication], al-Madinah became the healthiest of all cities
after it had not been so.”
Living in al-Madinah is better than living in any other place even if it provides a
prosperous life of plenty and opulence. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,
said, “There will come a time upon the people of al-Madinah when a man will invite his
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cousin and anyone of his kin saying, “Let’s go to prosperity! Let’s go to prosperity! But al-
Madinah will be better for them, if they but knew”(Reported by Muslim).
Because of its good and pure nature, its believing inhabitants are purified.The
Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The good among its inhabitants are
purified”(Reported by al-Bukhari). Similarly, the good deeds done in al-Madinah are
purified and appear on all horizons. In addition, a Muslim who patiently endures
hardships in it will attain the intercession the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,
or his testimony in his favour. If someone dies in it while he is a true believer, the
Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, will intercede for him on the Day of
Judgement. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If any of you has the
choice to die in al-Madinah, let him die there; for I will intercede for him or bear witness
in his favour [on the Day of Judgement]” (Reported by an-Nasa’i).
It has become a blessed city by virtue of the supplication of the Prophet, peace
and blessings be upon him. Al-Madinah is even twice as blessed as Makkah. For the
Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, supplicated to Allah to grant two blessings
together with each blessing in al-Madinah. He said, “O Allah! Let there be two blessings
with each blessing.”Its food and drinks are also blessed. The Prophet, peace and blessings
be upon him, supplicated his Lord, saying, “O Allah! Bless our sa’. O Allah! Bless our
mudd (Sa’ and muddbeing units of dry food measure)”(Reported by Muslim). An-
Nawawi, may Allah’s mercy be onhis soul, said, “It seems that the blessing has
encompassed the unit of measure itself so much so that the mudd has come to satisfy the
needs of more people in al-Madinah than it does elsewhere. This is something that its
inhabitants can feel.” Its fruits are also blessed. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon
him, supplicated his Lord, saying, “O Allah! Bless our fruit!”(Reported by Muslim). The
‘ajwah dates grown in al-Madinah highlands are a cure. Those which are not from the
highlands provide protection against poison and magic. All other types of dates grown in
it, apart from ‘ajwah, provide protection against poison, by Allah’s leave.
In al-Madinah, there is the Mosque of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon
him, the first mosque to be founded upon piety.It is one of the three mosques that were
built by Allah’s prophets, peace be upon them, and to which journeys may be
made.Offering one prayer in this mosque is better that offering one thousand prayers in
any other mosque, with the exception of the Sacred Mosque in Makkah.As an-Nawawi,
may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “This applies to both obligatory and
supererogatory prayers, though it is preferable to perform supererogatory prayers at
home.”
The pulpit of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, will be on his cistern
on the Day of Judgement. “If anyone swears a false oath by his pulpit, then let him take
his seat in Hellfire” (Reported by Ibn Majah).Between the house of the Prophet, peace and
blessings be upon him, and his pulpit, lies one of the gardens of Paradise. The Prophet,
peace and blessings be upon him, said,“The space between my house and my pulpit is
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one of the gardens of Paradise”(Agreed upon). Commenting on this hadith, Ibn Hajar,
may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “That is, it is similar to the gardens of Paradise
in that mercy descends upon those who attend circles of remembrance Allah in it and joy
overwhelms them there, especially during the time of the Prophet, peace and blessings be
upon him.” Praying in congregation in the first rows is better than praying in the last
rows. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best row for men is the
first one, and the worst row [for men]is the last one”(Reported by al-Bukhari).
In al-Madinah there is also the Quba’ Mosque – amosque that was founded on
piety from the very first day. The prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to visit
it every Saturday whether riding or on foot. He said, “Whoever performs ablution (wudu’)
at home and then goes to the Quba’ Mosque and performs a prayer there will be granted
the reward of performing ‘umrah”(Reported by Ibn Majah).
Also located in al-Madinah is Mount Uhud, which loves Muslims and is loved by
them. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “This is a mountain which
loves us and which we love”(Agreed upon). An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on his
soul, said, “Mount Uhud truly loves us, for Allahhas endowed it with a special quality
whereby it is able to love. We love it from the heart, without believing that there is
blessing in it.” The al-‘Aqiq Valley there is a blessed valley. The Prophet, peace and
blessings be upon him, said, “Tonight, a messenger (i.e. Angel Jibril (Gabriel), peace be
upon him) from my Lord came to me and said, ‘Pray in this blessed valley and say, “I
intend to perform ‘umrahtogether with ahajj”’”(Reported by al-Bukhari). Even though it is
a blessed valley, no one should ask it for bringing benefit or warding off harm.
Due to the great merit of al-Madinah, the prophet, peace and blessings be upon
him, loved it so dearly and supplicated Allah to make his love for it equal to, or even
greater than, his love for Makkah. He said in his supplication, “O Allah! Make us love al-
Madinah as much as we love Makkah or even more”(Reported by al-Bukhari). Whenever
he returned to it from a journey and saw its houses, he would increase his pace for it, out
of love for it.Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said “Each believer feels an
inner drive to visit al-Madinah because of his love for the Prophet, peace and blessings be
upon him.”I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Devil:
... “Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him.” A
fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord. (Saba’: 15)
May Allah bless you and me with the Great Qur’an and make us benefit from its
verses and wise words. I have said what you have heard and I ask forgiveness of Allah
for myself, for you, and for all Muslims, for any sin that we have committed. Ask Allah
for forgiveness. He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
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Part Two
Praise be to Allah for His kindness to us and all forms of gratitude are due to Him
for the success He has blessed us with and for His graciousness. I bear witness that there
is no god but Allah, Who has no partners, in glorification of His dignified position, and I
bear witness that our prophet, Muhammad, is His servant and messenger. May Allah
bestow His bountiful peace and blessings upon him and upon his family and
Companions.
O Muslims!
Visiting al-Madinah is a great favour from Allah. So many Muslims have died
without fulfilling their wish of visiting it and so many, still alive, are unable to visit it for
one reason or another. If Allah favours anyone with visiting al-Madinah, then he should
remember its high status and virtue in the sight of Allah and should fill his time there
with righteous deeds, such as performing prayers, reciting the Qur’an, and remembering
Allah. His love for al-Madinah should prompt him to follow the guidance of the best of
all mankind, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, in his entire conduct. He
must also be wary of falling into innovations in religion (bid‘ahs) and committing acts of
disobedience while still in it or after leaving it, and should deal with its inhabitants in the
best manner.
If a person is favoured by Allah with living in al-Madinah, he must set a good
example for its visitors by showing them his love for goodness and his generosity and by
treating them well, both in words and deeds, following in the footsteps of the Prophet,
peace and blessings be upon him, in all his acts.
Know that Allah has commanded you to ask Him to send His peace and blessings
upon His Prophet. Allah says in His perfect Revelation:
Allah sends His Salat (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy) on
the Prophet (Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him))
and also His angels (ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you
who believe! Send your Salat on (ask Allah to bless) him
(Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)), and (you
should) greet (salute) him with the Islamic way of greeting
(salutation i.e. AsSalamu
‘Alaikum). (Al-Ahzab: 56)
O Allah! Bestow Your prayers, peace, and blessings upon our prophet,
Muhammad, and be pleased with the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, who ruled by truth and
thereby established justice, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, along with all the
Companions, and also be pleased with us together with them, by Your munificence and
generosity, O Most Generous of all the generous!
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O Allah! Grant power and glory to Islam and Muslims, subdue polytheism and the
polytheists, and destroy the enemies of the religion. O Allah! Make this country of ours,
as well as all other Muslim countries, safe, secure, and prosperous.
... Our Lord! Give us that which is good in this world and that
which is good in the Hereafter, and save us from the torment of
Hellfire! (Al-Baqarah: 201)
O Allah! Make good the condition of Muslims everywhere. O Allah! Relieve their
distress, make for them a way out of every hardship, and grant them a happy, joyful life
full of piety and faith.
O Allah! You are Allah, and there is no god but You! You are Free of all wants
and needs, and we stand in need of You! Send down rain upon us and do not make us
among the despairing! O Allah! Grant us rain. O Allah! Grant us rain. O Allah! Grant us
rain.
... Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not,
and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the
losers. (Al-A‘raf: 23)
O Allah! Lead our ruler to Your guidance, make all his deeds pleasing to You,
and guide all the rulers of the Muslims to act according to Your Book and rule by Your
Shari‘ah, O Owner of Majesty and Honour!
Servants of Allah!
Verily, Allah enjoins Al-’Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none
but Allah Alone – IslamicMonotheism) and Al-Ihsan [i.e. to be
patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake
and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) in a perfect manner], and
giving (help) to kith and kin (i.e. all that Allah has ordered you
to give them, e.g. wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any
other kind of help), and forbids Al-Fahsha’ (i.e. all evil deeds,
e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to
tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right), and Al-
Munkar (i.e. all that is prohibited by Islamic law: polytheism of
every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds), and Al-Baghy
(i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may
take heed. (An-Nahl: 90)
Remember Allah, the Most Great, the Sublime, and He will remember you. Thank
Him for His blessings and favours and He will give you more. Verily, remembrance of
Allah is greater than all, and Allah knows what you do.
